There is no place like the Jurassic Coast, a wildly diverse and beautiful landscape, whose geology is of global significance. From its pebbly beaches, beautiful blue waters and cosy pubs, to pastel coloured cottages, fresh sea air and museums full of wonderment. The Jurassic coast is timeless and a place that is full of adventure.
Dorset has been an incredible experience for the whole family. It has even encouraged my daughter's desire to learn more about famous historical women, especially when we arrived in Lyme Regis. Home to famous fossil collector and palaeontologist Mary Anning, Lyme Regis is well known as one the best places on the Jurassic Coast to hunt for fossils. Her contributions to palaeontology during the Victorian period are what she is remembered for today. My daughter couldn't wait to go fossil hunting, just like Mary Anning in Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis is the home to a number of historical landmarks and attractions. The Cobb Harbour are iconic features of this ancient town that are set against blue cliffs that are filled with fossils and ammonites, waiting to be discovered. Lyme Regis is not short of interesting things to see and do!
The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum was a perfect place to begin our fossil adventure. Located on a small street tucked away behind greenery in the heart of Lyme Regis, this hidden gem is the perfect place to explore. This Jurassic fossil museum has lots of interesting things for children to see, with an amazing collection of local Jurassic marine fossils. Run by retired paleontologist Steve Davies and his wife Jenny who started the museum over 25 years ago with 130 specimens, today there are more than 16,000 specimens on display. Pretty cool, right?
This museum is located inside a Grade I listed Georgian church building in which pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning was baptised in 1799. An impressive building with fascinating discoveries everywhere you turn - there is so much to see.
On the ground floor of the museum is a collection of fossils discovered along the coastline that date back 200 million years. Among the exhibits are the enormous Ichthyosaur and the smallest fish and ammonites. There are also rare specimens of Chinese dinosaurs, Russian trilobites, and a 73 kilo lump of dinosaur poo! Not going to lie, it was HUUUGE!
As you work your way upstairs to the Time Gallery, you can experience the vastness of geological time and see how continents and life changed during the eons culminating in the dinosaurs. The Natural History Room has a collection of modern shells and fossil skeletons that illustrate how modern life relates to dinosaurs in the museum and fossils.
The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm with last admission at 4pm. They do not currently operate a booking system but they do have a one way system with staggered entries to take you safely round the museum. When we visited we arrived at 10am and we went into the museum by 10.15am ensuring we kept socially distanced with others guests in the museum.
Admission to the Museum costs £5.00 for adults, £4.00 for children (ages 5 to 16) and under fives are free. Dinosaurland also offer a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children for £16.00. An added bonus was that the owners allowed us to take Winston into the museum too. Winston didn't mind the fossils, but he was VERY aware of the the huge dinosaurs on the upper levels. It was really great value for money. There was something to discovery around every corner, we also learned lots of fascinating facts about dinosaurs and fossils. It is a must do for anyone who likes dinosaurs or fossils.
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